Garment for monitoring physiological functions and method of use thereof

• US 9,486,139 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2014
• Issued: 11/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Original Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Inventors: Charles, Harry K. Jr., Cain, Russell P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomson, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Archer, Marie
• Application Number:
  US14/271,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20140243618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/72 Signal processing specially adapted for physiological signals or for diagnostic purposes character recognition, recognising digital ink, document-oriented image-based pattern recognition G06V30/00; recognition or understanding of postal images G06V30/424
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10037 Printed or non-printed battery
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10151 Sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/0058 Laminating printed circuit boards onto other substrates, e.g. metallic substrates H05K1/0281 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component

Abstract

A plurality of sensors are embedded in a form fitting garment similar to exercise togs such that the sensors are held in contact with or close proximity to the body. The sensors are connected via a plurality wires to an electronics module which is unintrusive being literally in its ultimate configuration the size of a credit card. A range of thickness, from 6 mm (6 credit cards) down to 1 mm or less, is possible for the module inclusive of a rechargeable lithium polymer battery. The electronics module can be easily removed for garment maintenance (laundering).

Claims

1. A garment for monitoring a plurality of physiological functions, said garment comprising:

a plurality of sensors for measuring the plurality of physiological functions, the plurality of sensors being embedded in the garment; and

an electronics module,

wherein the electronics module is substantially the size of a credit card

in order to be held in a pocket formed in the garment,

wherein the electronics module is detachably connected to the plurality of sensors by a plurality of wires, the plurality of wires being woven into the garment,

wherein the electronics module is configured to select or deselect one of the plurality of sensors,

wherein the garment is form fitting in order to hold the plurality of sensors in contact with or close proximity to a body of a person exercising,

wherein the garment is washable upon the electronics module being detached from the plurality of wires and removed from the garment, and

wherein the electronics module comprises;

a thin polymer battery;

a first thin, multilayer substrate placed on and electrically connected to the battery;

a plurality of thinned integrated circuits placed on the first thin, multilayer substrate;

a second thin, multilayer substrate placed on an opposite side of the battery from the first thin, multilayer substrate, the second thin, multilayer substrate including an antenna patterned thereon and a first inductive coil patterned thereon for inductively recharging the battery and reprogramming the electronics module.

2. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronics module is configured to wirelessly transmit physiological data received from the plurality of sensors.

3. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of wires comprise fiber optics and physiological data received from the plurality of sensors is transmitted optically to the electronics module.

4. The garment as recited in claim 3, wherein after being detached from the plurality of wires, the electronics module is further configured to transmit the physiological data to a base station.

5. The garment as recited in claim 1,

wherein the electronics module comprises an attachment mechanism for connecting the electronics module to the plurality of wires, and

wherein the attachment mechanism is keyed to ensure a proper connection.

6. The garment as recited in claim 5, wherein the attachment mechanism is permanently installed in a pocket formed in the garment.

7. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of the first thin, multilayer substrate is extended and wrapped around the battery to contact terminals of the battery.

8. The garment as recited in claim 7, wherein leads on the battery are extended and wrapped around the first thin, multilayer substrate to electrical contacts thereon.

9. The garment as recited in claim 1, the first thin, multilayer substrate including a plurality of resistive and capacitive layers formed therein to provide surface area for active devices contained in the plurality of thinned integrated circuits.

10. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronics module further comprises a third thin, multilayer substrate permanently connected to the plurality of wires and placed in the garment and having a second inductive coil patterned thereon, the second coil configured to inductively receive power from the first coil and transmit the physiological data from the plurality of sensors to the first inductive coil.

11. The garment as recited in claim 10, wherein the garment further comprises a protective layer placed on the first and second coils to protect against moisture.

12. The garment as recited in claim 11, wherein the protective layer comprises one of a thin organic and a silicon-based resin compound.

13. The garment as recited in claim 1, the electronics module further comprising a solar cell, the solar cell being thinned and disposed on the battery.

14. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of wires comprise fiber optics and physiological data received from the plurality of sensors is transmitted optically to the electronics module.

15. A method for monitoring a plurality of physiological functions, said method comprising:

embedding a plurality of sensors for measuring the plurality of physiological functions in a garment, the garment being form fitting to hold the plurality of sensors in contact with or in close proximity to a body of a person exercising;

connecting a plurality of wires to the plurality of sensors, the plurality of wires being woven into the garment;

detachably connecting an electronics module to the plurality of wires, the electronics module being substantially the size of a credit card in order to be held in a pocket formed in the garment and comprising;

a thin polymer battery;

a first thin, multilayer substrate placed on and electrically connected to the battery;

a plurality of thinned integrated circuits placed on the first thin, multilayer substrate;

a second thin, multilayer substrate placed on an opposite side of the battery from the first thin, multilayer substrate, the second thin, multilayer substrate including an antenna patterned thereon and a first inductive coil patterned thereon for inductively recharging the battery and reprogramming the electronics module; and

selecting or deselecting, via the electronics module, one of the plurality of sensors,

wherein the garment is washable upon the electronics module being detached from the plurality of wires and removed from the garment.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising wirelessly transmitting, via the electronics module, physiological data received from the plurality of sensors.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein

detachably connecting the electronics module to the plurality of wires comprises detachably connecting the electronics module to the plurality of wires via an attachment mechanism, wherein the attachment mechanism is keyed to ensure a proper connection, and wherein the attachment mechanism is permanently installed in a pocket formed in the garment.

18. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein detachably connecting the electronics module to the plurality of wires further comprises detachably connecting the electronics module to the plurality of wires, the electronics module further comprising a solar cell, the solar cell being thinned and disposed on the battery.

19. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising receiving physiological data from the plurality of sensors, and transmitting, via the plurality of wires, the physiological data to the electronics module.